Russian construction milestones

Construction work continues at various new nuclear power plant projects in Russia, with several milestones - including the delivery of major pieces of equipment - having recently been achieved.

Reactor internals equipment has been delivered for installation at unit 1 of the Novovoronezh Phase II plant, which comprises two AES-2006 VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Meanwhile, work has started on welding the main circulation pipe in the reactor building of the unit. This pipe connects the main equipment of the primary loops: the reactor, steam generators and the reactor coolant pumps. New automated orbital welding technology - specifically designed for use at Novovoronezh Phase II - is being employed.

Construction of Novovoronezh II units 1 and 2 began in June 2008 and July 2009, respectively, with start-up expected in 2014 and 2016.

Rostov heat exchangers

Meanwhile, the first two heat exchangers for installation at units 3 and 4 of the Rostov nuclear power plant have been delivered to the construction site. A total of six heat exchangers - three for each unit - are being supplied by Russian heavy equipment manufacturer ZiO-Podolsk. Each heat exchanger measures about 8 metres in height, has an internal diameter of over 1 metre and weighs 15 tonnes. They will form an important part of the cooling systems of the reactors.

Construction of Rostov 3 began in late 2009, while work on unit 4 started in mid-2010. Units 3 and 4 are set to be completed by 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Leningrad-II concreting

Work to concrete the outer surface of the containment vessel of the first reactor at the second phase of the Leningrad nuclear power plant (Leningrad II) has been completed by contractor Titan-2. Concreting of the inner surface of the containment vessel continues, as does concreting of both the inner and outer surfaces of the containment of unit 2.

The two 1170 MWe reactors, of the AES-2006 model PWR design, are scheduled for commissioning in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Beloyarsk fuel pool

Construction of the concrete floor of the used fuel storage pool in the reactor building of Beloyarsk unit 4 has been finished. When complete the storage pool will measure 42 metres in length and 15 metres wide. It is designed to temporarily store used fuel from the BN-800 liquid sodium cooled reactor until sufficient residual heat has been removed to allow its removal for processing and reprocessing.

The fast neutron reactor is scheduled to achieve first criticality in late-2013 and to begin operation next year.